As the fight for justice for the 57 Ampatuan massacre victims gathers support not only here in the Philippines but also around the world, another incident of abductions involving a crime group in Agusan del Sur surprised the nation. The incident reportedly involves the abduction and hostage taking of 75 people, including children. SALINLAHI appealed for the immediate peaceful and non-violent resolution of the hostage taking in Agusan del Sur and also lauded the effort of the local DSWD for negotiating the safe release of some of the hostages particularly children.

Sophia Garduce the groups' spokesperson noted that the armed criminal groups proliferating particularly in Mindanao are actually former para-military groups like CAFGU and CAA, created by military to quell revolutionary groups. “These groups, the Ondo Perez group, the Ampatuan private army and even the Abu-Sayyaf are trained and armed by the AFP victimizing innocent civilians, including children,” Garduce said. She also added that even among the lumads, the military creates division by recruiting into the Task Force: Bagani Gantangan. “This group is also recruiting children into the para-military force. This was reported by the evacuees in Surigao in August this year", said Garduce.

Salinlahi urged the Arroyo government to disarm and dismantle the CAFGU, CVO and other para-military groups, especially those that are also acting as private armies of warlords not only in Mindanao but also in other areas nationwide. “If indeed Mrs. Arroyo wants a real solution to the peace and order situation in Mindanao and elsewhere, she must not resort into a cowardly show of force. She must strike the roots of violence starting from her own policies of war-mongering”. Garduce ended. ###